Archive September 2010
Monarchs House Featured
Jeff Wallach is the founder of Golf Media Network which owns The A Position, an impressive array of golf writers on the internet. We have told you about Larry Olmsted but also on board with the A Position is Jim Frank, Timothy Nolan, David Barrett and many other notable keyboard tappers. Besides writing 5 books and over 600 features, columns, essay and reviews for publications like Time, Sports Illustrated, Golf Digest and many others, Jeff Wallach also writes his own wonderful blog where today he features the Monarchs House drawing. Have a look. http://jeffwallach.com/ And Jeff, you are welcome to join us at Monarchs House anytime.
Slainte Mhath.
10th Anniversary Contest-Click Here to Enter
2011 is the 10th anniversary for Monarchs House. Since opening our doors to golfers and non-golfers alike in 2001, we have hosted well over 200 groups and 1500 people. Our visitors have been families, couples, groups of eight men and groups of eight women. Remarkably, we haven’t advertised the house and all visitors have arrived as a result of the House’s reputation as the ideal setting for a St Andrews based holiday. 75% of the visitors are repeat guests.
Spirit of the Game?
At this weekend’s PGA BMW Championship tournament at Cog Hill, Butch Harmon, Tiger Wood’s old swing coach, revealed a few ways that Tiger tries to get the better of his opponent. What do you think of this? We want your opinion. Have a wee look:
- Before large galleries, when on the green, Woods will often putt out first. That means the crowd moves to the next tee while the other player is still finishing the hole, creating an annoying distraction. That ploy wouldn’t have worked very well Sunday. Mickelson kept making putts from everywhere.
- Woods likes to lag back and get to the tee box second, so that the crowd screams loudest, and last, for him.
- Harmon said Woods intentionally walks quickly when playing with slow players and slowly when playing with fast competitors. Most people would never notice.
- Harmon said Woods sometimes hits 3-wood off the tee on driver holes, just to make the other player have to stand around for a few minutes. “You have your momentum and adrenaline going, and he slows down and makes you wait,” the coach said.
As you may recall, we shared David Robertson Forgan’s Golfer’s Credo with you about “acting the gentleman” and “…opportunities for courtesy, kindliness and generosity to an opponent.” Is Tiger acting in the spirit of the game or does competition at this level require this type of gamesmanship? There is no doubt that Tiger is a clever lad who takes his game seriously but is he crossing the line with his behaviour. Would Old Tom, Bobby Jones, Ben Hogan, Arnold Palmer or Jack Nicklaus be horrified? Were they any different?
Monarchs House Calendar of Events 2011
December 30 – January 3/Hogmany Celebration
Hogmany celebrated in the true Scottish Style.
January 25 – January 27/Robert Burns Birthday
You may need a day or two of rest after a Burns Dinner at Monarchs House
February 11 – February 13/Valentine’s Day Weekend
Winter’s luxurious romantic weekend getaway
SPRING
March 4- March 6/Spa Weekend
Experience Kohler Waters Spa, one of Europe’s most advanced concepts in total well-being.
March 18 – March 20/Outward Bound Weekend
Get down and dirty in the great outdoors; organized walks, mountain biking, off-road driving & quad biking…there’s something for everyone. Arrive a day early and celebrate St Patrick’s day when we are all Irish!
March 25 – March 27/Shooting Skills
The perfect opportunity to challenge & improve your marksmanship skills. British Summer Time begins.
April 22 – April 25/Easter Weekend
Celebrate the most important Christian religious feast of the year at Monarchs House
April 30 -May 2/May Day Bank Holiday Weekend
May 28- May 30/Whitsun Bank Holiday Weekend
SUMMER
June 19 – June 21/Father’s Day Weekend
Celebrate how great your Dad is in St Andrews and play together in the longest day tournament.
July 4/Independence Day
Join us for a clambake & fireworks on the West Sands. Here in Scotland we know a little something about independence too!
July 13-17/The Open Championship
It’s not in St Andrews this year but there is nothing against watching golf’s greatest championship at the home of golf.
July 22/Monarchs House vs. The Locals Tournament
Eight of yours against eight of theirs for the silver ring and bragging rights.
July 29 – August 1/Bank Holiday Weekend
August 26 – August 29/Bank Holiday Weekend
AUTUMN
September 12- September 23/The Royal & Ancient Autumn Meeting
September 29 – October 3/The Dunhill Links Championship
The best pro-am event of the year over the Old Course, Carnoustie & Kingsbarns
October 28 – October 31/Halloween Weekend
Have a ghoul on us in the spookiest town in all of Scotland. It will be a weekend full of frights and fun.
November 11 – November 13/Spa Weekend
Experience Kohler Waters Spa, one of Europe’s most advanced concepts in total well-being.
November 23 – November 27/Thanksgiving in Scotland & The St Andrews Festival
Another great American holiday celebrated as only Monarchs House can. The St Andrews Festival is a weekend long celebration of the best of Scotland. Visit their website for more info http://www.standrewsfestival.co.uk/
WINTER
November 30/St Andrews Day
Another Scottish extravaganza and a good excuse for the last party before Christmas.
December 22-27/Christmas House Party
All the family will enjoy a stay at Monarchs House during this magical time of year.
Did Someone Mention Rain?
It does indeed rain in Scotland but in St Andrews not nearly as much as you might think. Since we are asked this question almost as many times as, “Can you get us on the Old Course?”, we thought we would share some intelligence with you that might be useful for you when planning your trip to St Andrews.
The table below highlights the 2010 monthly (to date) precipitation in St Andrews. We compare it to two other wonderful golf destinations, Turnberry in Scotland and Hilton Head in the U.S. Also, we thought we would show you how it compares against Rome, Italy and Boston, Massachusetts. We could have measured rainfall against London, Paris, New York and Miami to name a few, and St Andrews would still turn up favourably on top. (Keep in mind that while data is from 2010, it is fairly indicative of St Andrews weather.)
Haste ye back to the St Andrews sunshine!
St Andrews
(inches)Turnberry Hilton Head Boston Rome
Jan. 1.27 3.49 6.46 2.91 3.30
Feb. 1.11 2.96 2.61 1.11 3.00
Mar. .88 4.66 4.53 14.87 2.70
Apr .56 3.85 .70 1.78 2.70
May 1.03 1.84 3.67 2.90 1.90
Jun .53 1.77 7.94 3.18 1.60
Jul 1.92 7.74 9.86 2.66 .90
Aug. 1.32 2.81 10.07 5.75 1.40
